More rain in store as weather warning issued

Andrew Wright

The Met Office has today issued a yellow ‘be aware’ weather warning for much of the UK and Northern Ireland after the storm which hit the country over the weekend continues.

The Met Eirann - the Met Office equivalent in Republic of Ireland - officially anointed the third named storm front of the year Storm Clodagh on Saturday. Storms can be named by either the Met Office or Met Eirann.

Up to 15cm of snow is expected to fall across high ground in parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland, and North West and North East England, and up to 2.5cm could affect lower areas.

Heavy rain and strong winds are expected in Wales, plus Yorkshire and Humber, while strong winds are also expected in the Midlands, South West and South East of England.

The storm caused significant travel disruption over the weekend across the country. Cross-Border services between England and Scotland on both the east and west coast main lines were delayed by high winds which led to speed restrictions. Fallen trees caused further problems on the west coast route and tree branches blocked the Glasgow-Dumfries line at New Cumnock in Ayrshire.

The storm caused damage to overhead lines between Stoke-on-Trent and Stockport and the Environment Agency has issued flood warnings for Wales and the North of England.

In Ireland, thousands of people were left without electricity after Clodagh battered the republic over the weekend.

Christmas light switch-on displays in many parts of the UK, were called off due to the inclement weather.

A spokesman for the Met Office said: “Rain is expected to turn to wet snow with 2-5cm possible above about 150m, and some slushy accumulations possible at lower levels. 10cm may possibly occur above 300m.

“Please be aware of the need to take extra care and allow more time for travel.”